Powhatan County Public Schools to End Head Start program next school year

POWHATAN COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Powhatan County Public Schools will no longer be offering its Head Start program for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year.

In response to Richmond Public Schools' recent choice of reducing allocations in its Head Start program, Powhatan County Public Schools will discontinue the program beginning with the 2025–2026 academic year.

According to the PCPS, the Richmond School Board voted on a reduction in the regional preschool program by 200 seats, which included 17 slots that were being filled by Powhatan County students.

The school division said the decision comes from changes in circumstances and regional partnerships, which collectively impact the capacity to sustain the program in Powhatan beginning next year.

PCPS will still offer support and resources for families of children who are transitioning to kindergarten through its Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) and Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) programs.